Pope Leo XIV Descended from Creole People of Color, Records Show
Census records from the 1900s show Pope Leo XIV's grandparents had Creole lineage
His grandparents reportedly lived in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans before moving to Chicago
Pope Leo XIV is making history as the first-ever American-born pontiffPope Leo XIV has Creole lineage from New Orleans, according to records shared after his election.
Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, the maternal grandparents of Robert Prevost, 69, who was selected as the successor to Pope Francis on Thursday, May 8, lived in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans before moving to Chicago in the early 1900s, according to The New York Times.
The couple were listed as Black in census records from 1900, Jari C. Honora, a family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection, shared on Facebook and with CNN.
Records show Joseph, Pope Leo XIV's grandfather, was listed as a cigar maker born in 'Hayti.'
Honora said the couple were married in 1887 and 'left New Orleans and went to Chicago between 1910 and 1912.'
'Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has Creole of color roots from New Orleans on his mother's side!' Honora wrote on social media alongside images of the records. 'What a great connection for our local population!'
Mildred Martinez Prevost, the new pontiff's mother, was born in 1912 after her parents moved to Chicago, according to records Honora shared with CNN.
John Prevost, the Pope's 71-year-old brother, confirmed the family's lineage to the Times.
Pope Leo XIV is the first-ever American-born pontiff. He was born in Chicago and gained missionary experience in Peru, serving as the bishop of the city of Chiclayo.
In 2023, he was appointed by Francis to the Dicastery for Bishops, which oversees the selection of new bishops from across the globe.
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Speaking in Italian and Spanish to a sea of supporters in St. Peter's Square in his first speech as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV told onlookers, "peace be with you all."
He also declared, "God loves us, God loves you all and evil will not prevail."
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